ACR Supports Passage of the STOP Stroke Act
With approximately 700,000 Americans suffering a stroke every year, the American College of Radiology has taken steps to ensure quality care for stroke patients by supporting the Stroke Treatment and Ongoing Prevention Act of 2003, or the STOP Stroke Act. This federal legislation recognizes the importance of stroke prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
The STOP Stroke Act was introduced in the Senate (S 1909) and the House (HR 3658) prior to Congress' adjournment in December 2003. The House Energy and Commerce Committee approved HR 3658 on March 3. The bill now goes before the full House for a vote; the schedule of that vote is pending.
The sponsors of the legislation, Thad Cochran (R, Miss) in the Senate and RADPAC contribution recipients Chip Pickering (R, Miss) and Lois Capps (D, Calif) in the House, hope their efforts will provide the necessary resources to increase public awareness of the disease, provide early intervention training to emergency medical personnel and health care professionals, and ensure that hospitals are equipped to provide the most effective care.
The ACR and other members of the STOP Stroke Coalition will continue to gather co-sponsors in both chambers and work to enact this lifesaving legislation before Congress adjourns this year.